Abstract: Methods and apparatus for imaging spectral lines are disclosed. Spectral lines are imaged using an imager that includes photosensitive cells. The photosensitive cells are arranged to form channels including banks of photosensitive cells. Horizontal blooming barriers and drains are coupled to one or more of the banks to limit accumulated charge in the banks such that the amount of charge accumulated and retained in at least one subsequent bank is incrementally increased. Charge is accumulated for spectral lines that are received by the channels to image those spectral lines.

Abstract: A TDI sensor includes a first readout register and a plurality of sensor columns. The first readout register includes a plurality of first readout register elements. A first sensor column includes a photogate and a diode photodetector at an end. The diode photodetector is either a photodiode or a pinned photodiode. The photogate is coupled through the diode photodetector and from there through a transfer gate to a corresponding readout register element.

Abstract: An inspection system includes a CMOS integrated circuit having integrally formed thereon an at least two dimensional array of photosensors and providing an inspection output representing an object to be inspected. A defect analyzer is operative to receive the inspection output and to provide a defect report.

Abstract: A circuit includes a circuit chip and a plurality of clock drivers external to the circuit chip. The circuit chip includes a plurality of isolated clocking subunits and a corresponding plurality of terminals. Each clocking subunit is electrically isolated from any other clocking subunit. Each clocking subunit is coupled to a respective terminal. For each of the plurality of terminals, an output from one and only one clock driver of the plurality of clock drivers is coupled to the corresponding terminal of the plurality of terminals, and inputs of all clock drivers are coupled together.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for synchronizing the velocity of an image of a moving object and the clocking of image sensor elements used to track the moving target. The imaging apparatus includes a two-dimensional array of image sensor elements being configured to sense a first set of image elements in a first direction according to a clock rate. A plurality of rows of image sensor elements are spaced from each other. The rows of image sensor elements are configured to sense a second set of image elements of the target moving in the first direction according to the clock rate. Each row has image sensor elements that are different in length from the image sensor elements of the other rows. A measurement module is coupled with the plurality of rows of image sensor elements to measure the sharpness of detected image elements and to identify the row of image sensor elements having the sharpest detected image elements.

Abstract: A method of operating a solid state image sensor (1) for the acquisition of an image generated by an asynchronous stimulus (S) is described in which the sensor is operated in conjunction with at least one detector (4) which detects the said asynchronous stimulus. The sensor is regularly reset so as to commence integration from a reset state of the sensor each time a period Tr has elapsed. The output of the detector(s) prior to each reset (R) is used to determine whether that reset is inhibited or not, whereby the likelihood of the stimulus being corrupted is prevented, or at least substantially reduced. A method is also proposed in which a portion of the sensor array is itself used as the detector (4) for detecting the asynchronous stimulus. A solid state image sensor incorporating a reset inhibition control function for carrying out the described method is also claimed.

Abstract: A column slice of a CMOS TDI sensor includes a column bus, a column of pixels, plural first switches, a column of accumulators, plural second switches, plural third switches and output bus 39. Each of the plural first switches is coupled between the column bus and a corresponding pixel of the column of pixels, and each of the plural second switches is coupled between the column bus and a corresponding accumulator of the column of accumulators. In operation, only one switch at a time of plural first switches is “on” to connect the voltage signal from a corresponding pixel to the column bus while all remaining plural first switches are “off” to isolate the column bus from all remaining pixels. Only one of the plural second switches is “on” to connect the signal on the column bus to an accumulator while all remaining plural second switches are “off” to isolate the bus from all remaining accumulators.

Abstract: A sensor chip assembly time delay integration circuit useful with image sensing arrays uses a duplex bucket brigade circuit (120) with two or more charge transfer paths, a number of capacitors (130, 133, 136) common to the charge transfer paths, and a number of capacitors (131, 132, 134, 135) specific to each of the charge transfer paths. Each of the charge transfer paths has a number of MOSFET transfer gates (122, 124, 126, 128; 123, 125, 127, 129) connected in series, and the common capacitors and the path-specific capacitors are alternately connected to the paths. Each of the common capacitors is controllably connected (112, 115, 118) either to a unit cell input circuit (113, 116, 119). a reset node (111, 114, 117), or an open circuit. The circuit operates by storing accumulated image sensor charges from alternate sensor lines on the path-specific capacitors. The common capacitors are reset and then connected to the unit cell input circuits to acquire a first set of image sensor charges.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises a light source and an imaging device, such as a CCD, having a plurality of photo-diodes. The light source outputs a pulsed distance measuring light beam simultaneously with a discharge of unwanted charges from the photo-diodes due to an electric charge discharging signal. A reflected light beam, generated by a measurement subject due to the distance measuring light beam, is received by the photo-diodes. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the output of the distance measuring light beam, an electric charge transfer signal is output so that electric charge, i.e. signal charge accumulated in each of the photo-diodes, is transferred to the vertical transfer unit. The electric charge and the electric charge discharging signal are repeatedly output, so that the signal charge is integrated in the vertical transfer unit.

Abstract: A pixel circuit, and a method for operating a pixel circuit, to provide a multiple knee response characteristic. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more feed-through pulse (FTP) signals are transmitted to an integration node to end a first linear integration time period. The FTP signal allows electrons to drain from the integration node to a reset node through a transfer gate. After the first integration period, a second linear integration period is conducted on the pixel circuit, where the photo conversion gain of the pixel circuit becomes reduced under higher illumination conditions due to the drained node. Such operation creates a pixel with a photo response having multiple “knee” points, where each “knee” in the photo response curve will create separate regions whose photo sensitivities can be independently controlled with minimal thermal interference.

Abstract: An imaging device (6) for scan-imaging radiation includes an imaging cell array (3) comprising an array of detector cells generating charge in response to incident radiation (1) and an array of pixel circuits each pixel circuit associated with a respective detector cell. The pixel circuit includes circuitry for accumulating plural radiation hit on an associated detector cell and transfer circuitry shifting upon command the accumulated value of all pixels by one step in one dimension (e.g., row by row). The imaged object (2) moves at a speed VOPT (7) with respect to the radiation source and the imaging detector (or source and detector move at −VOPT with respect to the object) on which the accumulated values are shifted are with VTDI (8). VTDI may equal VOPT in value and direction. Thus, a value is accumulated in a moving information package using multiple pixels (10) and referring directly to a location on the moving object. The accumulated values are read out along one edge of the pixel array.

Abstract: A time delay integration circuit in which a number of unit cell inputs (101, 103, 105, 107) along with their respective switches (170, 171, 172, 173) are input to a bi-directional BBD circuit (110). The BBD circuit performs an SCA TDI with reduced ROIC circuitry and compatibility with standard LSI processing. The bi-directional BBD circuit has numerous pairs of MOSFETs (111, 112; 113, 114; 115, 116; 117, 118; 119, 120; 121, 122; 123, 124; 125, 126; 127, 128; 129, 130; 131, 132; 133, 134; 135, 136; 137, 138; 139, 140; 141, 142) connected in series and numerous storage capacitors (151, 152,153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166) having one of their terminals respectively connected between each of the MOSFET pairs and the other of their terminals alternately connected to clock phases Ø1 and Ø2.

Abstract: A sensor and method for taking range measurements of a target object using a TDI device as a detector are provided. The device is positioned to detect reflections of a structured light beam on the target object. To avoid losing the range information in the TDI process, the exposition of the device to the reflection of the light beam is restricted to the first integration period of the acquisition cycle of the TDI device, so that the output of the device provides line by line an image of the light beam on the target object during this first integration period.

Abstract: In a solid state imaging apparatus, a normal function to read a pixel signal and an electronic shutter function are both realized by using a single shift register. The shift register successively transmits a driving signal supplied from a control unit. A selecting circuit is disposed correspondingly to each row of an imaging unit, and when the driving signal is output from a register corresponding to the row, the selecting circuit selectively executes a read operation or a reset operation in pixels belonging to the corresponding row in accordance with outputs of preceding and following registers. The driving signal is set to be differently supplied between the normal mode and the electronic shutter mode, so that outputs of preceding and following registers can be different between these modes. As a result, a read operation and a reset operation can be selectively conducted in the normal mode and the electronic shutter mode, respectively in the imaging unit.

Abstract: Image information can be supplied from an image pickup apparatus to computer equipment at high speed. A solid state image pickup device 1 is vertically driven by a vertical drive circuit 2v and horizontally driven by a horizontal drive circuit 2h. The vertical drive circuit 2v operates at a given cycle in response to a vertical timing signal VT from a vertical timing control circuit 21v which operates according to a frequency dividing clock DCK with a given cycle. The horizontal drive circuit 2h operates in response to a horizontal timing signal HT from a horizontal timing control circuit 21h to be driven in response to a transfer trigger TR which is supplied from the computer equipment. An exposure control circuit 23 responds to a horizontal transfer flag HF which is supplied from the horizontal timing control circuit 21h and determines timing for discharge driving excluding a period of the horizontal transfer drive.

Abstract: A charge transfer circuit for an imaging array incorporates a number of concatenated charge transfer stages. Each stage has a charge storage element for storing accumulated charge generated by a photo-detector responsive to electromagnetic radiation incident thereon, and a transfer element to which the charge storage element is coupled. A first voltage driver is coupled to the storage element and a second voltage driver coupled to the transfer element. By selectively applying respective potential conditions to the storage elements and to the transfer elements of each stage of the array the accumulated charge stored in each storage element is transferred to the storage element of the next stage of the array to provide an integrated signal at the circuit output.

Abstract: Pluralities of sensor blocks are provided to one system. A photoelectric sensor management system is connected selectively to a communication unit of one sensor block via a cable. A photoelectric sensor management program in the photoelectric sensor management system displays a set window and a monitor window on a screen. The set window is displayed to set the information such as set values of amplifiers included in a plurality of sensor blocks. The monitor window is displayed to monitor the information such as current set values, current values, etc. of respective amplifiers included in the sensor block that is connected currently.

Abstract: A Time Delay Integration technique is applied to an image sensor of this invention. A sensor part is constructed in such a way that diagonally-arranged photo-sensors are arranged periodically lengthwise and widthwise. The signal charge read from the photo-sensors of each line is transferred vertically to horizontal CCD shift registers. Each horizontal CCD shift register is provided on each line of the diagonally-arranged photo-sensors, and the horizontal CCD shift register outputs the signal charge to an A/D converter, which converts the signal charge into a digital signal. Thus, one A/D converter processes only a small amount of data, and the object can be scanned at high speed.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is disclosed that is able to extend the intra-scene dynamic range of Time Delay and Integrate Charge-Coupled Device imagers. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the charge collected and accumulated over a plurality of photosensitive devices is limited by adjusting the barrier levels at which collected accumulated charge is removed from the photosensitive devices. By limiting the amount of accumulated charge that is collected, images of high intensity are prevented from overflowing or saturating the photosensitive devices. Thus, information that is included in the brighter levels of the image is not lost because of clipping the photosensitive device to prevent saturation. In one embodiment of the invention, the blooming barrier levels are adjusted in a step-wise linear manner to allow a known amount of charge to be retained during the initial collection phase while allowing progressively greater amounts of charge to be retained as the collection phase proceeds.

Abstract: A TDI sensor includes a bias charge voltage circuit, a reset voltage circuit, a bucket brigade column having a plurality of nodes, and a plurality of pinned photodiodes. Each photodiode is formed integral with a corresponding node of the bucket brigade column. The bucket brigade column is coupled between the bias charge voltage circuit at an initial node and the reset voltage circuit at a final node. The bucket brigade column includes a plurality of first phase clock conductors, and a plurality of second phase clock conductors, and the first and second phase clock conductors are interdigitated and formed of poly-crystalline silicon. The TDI sensor is formed in a substrate of a first conductivity type, and a cathode of each pinned photodiode is formed of a second conductivity type, and each pinned photodiode includes a pinning layer of the first conductivity type.

Abstract: A method and a device for imaging with high geometrical resolution on a microsatellite. The device includes an objective and a focal plane on which an extended optical detector is fitted. The objective and the focal plane being fastened rigidly to the microsatellite. Intermediate optics, which can be moved using a setting and resetting instrument, are arranged between the objective and the focal plane.

Abstract: A confocal microscope has a motorized scanning table for moving the sample perpendicularly to the optical axis of the microscope. The object is illuminated simultaneously at many places by means of a light source array. The light reflected or scattered at the object is detected by means of a diaphragm array, which is conjugate to the object and to the light source array. A sensor array is provided as a detector and makes a displacement of charges possible between individual positions in the scanning direction. The sensor is a so-called TDI sensor. The displacement of the charges is synchronized with the motion of the object corresponding to the motion of the image points in the plane of the sensor array. The image data can thereby be recorded during the motion of the object, so that even large object fields can be sensed in a short time with high lateral resolution.

Abstract: An electro-optical framing camera forward motion compensation (FMC) system comprising a moving shutter and a full frame focal plane array detector is disclosed. The reconnaissance system is designed to minimize the variation of image motion from a target scene across the focal plane array. The full frame focal plane array, such as a Charge Coupled Device (CCD), is designed to transfer and add the image from pixel to pixel at a predetermined rate of image motion corresponding to the region exposed by the focal plane shutter. The focal plane shutter aperture and velocity are set to predetermined values coordinated with the available illumination. The CCD image transfer rate is set to minimize the smear effects due to image motion in the region of the scene exposed by the focal plane shutter. This rate is variable with line of sight depression angle, aircraft altitude, and aircraft velocity/altitude ratio.

Abstract: Charge is integrated in N>=2 different groups within a frame buffer to form multiple image fields.

Abstract: A confocal microscope has a motorized scanning table for moving the sample perpendicularly to the optical axis of the microscope. The object is illuminated simultaneously at many places by means of a light source array. The light reflected or scattered at the object is detected by means of a diaphragm array, which is conjugate to the object and to the light source array. A sensor array is provided as a detector and makes a displacement of charges possible between individual positions in the scanning direction. The sensor is a so-called TDI sensor. The displacement of the charges is synchronized with the motion of the object corresponding to the motion of the image points in the plane of the sensor array. The image data can thereby be recorded during the motion of the object, so that even large object fields can be sensed in a short time with high lateral resolution.

Abstract: A charge transfer structure (30) includes a substrate comprised of semiconductor material and, coupled to a surface of the substrate, a plurality of serially coupled devices each having a gate terminal. The plurality of serially coupled devices include a first single port device (D1) defining a first primary charge storage well, a second single port device (D3) defining a second primary charge storage well, a first two port device (D2) defining a first transfer device, a second two port device (D4) defining a second transfer device, and two instances of a third two port device each defining a cascode device (CD). The ports of these devices are serially coupled together in an order given by D1, D2, CD, D3, D4, CD for transferring charge between the first and second primary charge storage wells. Charge is inserted into and withdrawn from each of the first and second primary charge storage wells through a single diffusion that functions as both an input port and an output port.

Abstract: Using a common area sensor to build a high resolution electronic camera requires a large sensor chip with an incumbent high cost. Using a line sensor results in slow imaging and therefore limited applications. An electronic camera using a small sensor chip with high speed imaging is therefore provided. A two-dimensional imaging device that is narrower than an area sensor subscans the imaging plane of the lens system by means of a scanning device. The charge transfer register of the two-dimensional imaging device is driven by an X clock generator in the opposite direction and at the same speed as the subscanning speed, thereby achieving TDI operation and high speed image capturing.

Abstract: The read circuit can be applied to optomechanical scanning imaging devices. The circuit is designed for the reading of batteries of photodetectors comprising a specified number N of detection channels, each constituted by N.sub.d sensors positioned in the scanning direction, such that each point of an image is successively analyzed by N.sub.d sensors of a channel. The circuit includes a current summation scale, associated with each detection channel, formed by a specified number M of current summation circuits and coupled to the detection channel by means of a voltage-current conversion device. Application to the thermal imaging devices.

Abstract: A CCD structure includes a substrate in which a plurality of buried channels have been formed and a heat conductor disposed transversely to the buried channels and defining a longitudinal direction. A first channel defines a channel direction. The heat conductor includes a first segment and a second segment separated by a gap from the first segment. The heat conductor further includes a tab connected to the first segment. In the structure the tab is characterized by an extent along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction that is equal to an extent of the gap along the longitudinal direction, an extent along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction that is equal to a width of the heat conductor, and a shape that is a parallelogram, preferrably a rectangle. In the structure the gap is characterized by a gap predetermined shape, size and orientation, and the tab is characterized by a tab predetermined shape, size and orientation.

Abstract: In an image detection device comprising at least one column arrangement consisting of photo detector elements linearly arranged in a row, an image field will be swung alternately across the photo detector elements in both longitudinal directions of the column arrangement. For time-correct summing and output of the detector signals, the photo detector elements of one column arrangement will be connected with a TDI arrangement. The TDI arrangement features a switch arrangement comprising several switches as well as a memory unit containing several memory cells. By appropriate control of the switch arrangement, its switches will be set such that the detector signals generated in the photo detector elements by one and the same image field pixel will be integrated into one and the same memory cell of the memory unit.

Abstract: A camera system is described which is based on an electro-optical imaging array performs electronic image motion compensation without moving parts during a reconnaissance maneuver in which the aircraft is experiencing a non-zero rate of change in the pitch axis, such as in a dive bomb maneuver when the pilot is pulling out of the dive. The camera system has a camera control computer that calculates a pixel information transfer rate for the array based on parameters supplied by the aircraft's navigation system and pre-mission known parameters, including the aircraft's velocity, height above ground, attach angle, pitch angle, and rate of change in pitch during the period in which the array is taking successive exposures of the scene. The camera control computer supplies information to the drive and control electronics that control the transfer of pixel information in the array.

Abstract: An imaging system in accordance with the present invention compensates for relative motion of the imaging system with respect to a scene to be captured. The imaging system includes an array, a light shield, a lens, a horizontal clocking system, and a vertical clocking system. The array includes at least two or more columns and rows of pixels, with each pixel exposed to the scene storing charge representative of the scene. The light shield is connected to the array and covers every other column of pixels. The lens is a focal length from the array and focuses the scene onto the array. The horizontal clocking system is coupled to each pixel in each row of the array and shifts charge from each pixel in each row exposed to the scene to each adjacent pixel in each row at a horizontal transfer frequency.

Abstract: A device for reading detector arrays with TDI effect comprises an assembly of lines of detectors each integrating its own contribution during an integration time, with each contribution corresponding to an image in one of an array of elementary circuits. A demultiplexer directs the contribution of each detector into a first elementary circuit determined by this detector and the number of the current image. A summing device, executes the sum of the contribution of the detectors consisting in choosing, for each detector, a second elementary circuit determined in function of the number of the current image and of the detector considered and in executing the sum of these elementary circuits so as to carry out the TDI effect on the detectors in such a manner as to obtain the contribution of the detector line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a detection method and a corresponding array architecture comprising sensors positioned according to a particular geometry, enabling the integration of a circuit for the management of the integration cycles and of transfers of charges between injection-integration circuits and TDI type summation circuits in the focal plane of the array. The array is fitted into a scanning camera that scans in a particular direction. The camera is designed to form a video signal for an image made up of pixels spaced out at a pitch p.sub.p with a value corresponding to the standard. The array has several rows of elementary sensors. The the sensors that belong to different rows and are aligned in the scanning direction define a detection channel V.sub.k. The spatial pitch p.sub.c of one and the same detection channel has a value that differs from the value of the pixel pitch p.sub.p by a fraction of this pixel pitch such that a sensor-pixel coincidence, which is achieved for a reference sensor C.sub.

Abstract: A charge transfer device is disclosed in which the number of transfer clocks can be decreased, and also, power consumption, the heating amount and parasitic emissions are also reduced. Three groups of electrodes are repeatedly disposed in an alternating sequence above an N-type channel (transfer channel). Among the three groups of electrodes, a predetermined DC bias voltage supplied from a DC power supply is applied to one group of electrodes. Between the remaining two groups of electrodes, a single-phase transfer clock H.phi. supplied from the exterior of the device is directly applied to one group of electrodes, while a transfer clock H.phi.' produced by delaying the transfer clock H.phi. by a predetermined delay time in a delay circuit is applied to the other group of electrodes. Also disclosed is a solid-state imaging apparatus using the above-described charge transfer device.

Abstract: A scanning detection system. The inventive system includes a detector arrangement for scanning a target surface over a predetermined angular range and providing a plurality of sampled signals in response thereto. The detector outputs are sampled and aggregated to provide a first output having a constant spatial resolution independent of the scan angle of the detector. The detector outputs are also aggregated to provide a second output having fine radiometric sensitivity. In a specific implementation, constant resolution is achieved by co-adding a variable number of adjacent detector samples where the number of adjacent samples co-added is dependent on the scan angle. Fine radiometric sensitivity is achieved by co-adding a fixed number of adjacent samples. Thus, dual capabilities of constant resolution and high sensitivity are achieved in a cost effective manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a solid-state image sensor includes a sensor portion for performing a photoelectric conversion, a vertical transfer register for reading information from the sensor portion, a memory for storing information from the vertical transfer register, and an eliminating unit for eliminating information from the sensor portion, wherein the information in the sensor portion is eliminated by the eliminating unit intermittently two or more times in one field interval, whereby information storage time is controlled. In one field interval, operation of the eliminating unit is performed successively every time T.sub.2 after time T.sub.1 from a vertical synchronizing signal, the information from the sensor portion is read in the vertical shift register successively, at every operation of the eliminating unit, a time T.sub.3 after the end of this operation, and the first time T.sub.1, second time T.sub.2 and third time T.sub.

Abstract: A system for producing a high quality scene image in a thermal imaging system by electronically compensating for variations in the imaging system imager focal length. The system includes optics (16, 18) for detecting a scene (14), a detector assembly (27) being responsive to energy from the detected scene; and an imager (25) for imaging the energy from the detected scene onto the detector assembly (27). The imager (25) includes a temperature sensor (25b) for sensing imager lens temperature. The detector assembly (27) outputs electric signals in response to the energy from the detected scene at a first clock sample rate. The system further includes a processor (84) for controlling the first clock sample rate of the detector assembly to maximize detected scene image quality through variation of the first clock sample rate to automatically compensate for imager lens focal length variation due to ambient temperature changes in the imager lens (25a) and due to inherent manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: One or more time delay and integration camera assemblies (A) are mounted in a housing (100) which is rotated by a motor (40, 106) relative to a vertical axis. A tachometer or encoder (44) produces signals whose frequency or voltage varies in accordance with an angular velocity of the camera assemblies about the vertical axis. A clock generator (46) converts the angular velocity signals into clocking signals for controlling movement of vertical lines of data values (20) along an array (14) of light sensitive elements to a shift register (22). In one embodiment, the clock generator includes a divider (82) which converts the angular velocity signal into a voltage, a comparator (84) which compares the first voltage with a second voltage, and a voltage controlled oscillator (88) which oscillates to generate the clocking signal. A second divider (88) defines a feedback loop between the output of the voltage controlled oscillator and the comparator for generating the second voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus that minimize the degradation of the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) which results from a mismatch between the velocity of an optical image (V.sub.TDI) and that of a corresponding charge image (V.sub.OPTICAL) formed in a TDI radiation detector array (14). In accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is developed a figure-of-merit (FOM) that is indicative of a match between the velocities of the optical image and the charge image. The velocity match metric is developed directly from recovered video information, and serves as an input to a closed-loop controller (22, 24, 26, 23, 26') which "servos" the velocity of the charge image in order to maximize the velocity match metric. In that the error signal is indicative of the true optical image velocity, MTF degradation due to velocity mismatch is minimized without requiring apriori knowledge of image velocity.

Abstract: A CCD linear imager signal processor is dynamically controlled on a pixel-by-pixel and line-by-line basis by means of programmably variable control word bit maps to control the number of range and size of blocks of imaging pixel data that are accumulated to vary the imaging resolution and the format of the imaging process.

Abstract: Positions of overlapping first and second circular holes of respective first and second objects are detected, the first and second objects to be screwed together by a robotic screwing mechanism. An upper surface of the first object is viewed with an image pick-up device to obtain an image of the first circular hole and a partial image of the second circular hole which overlaps the image of the first circular hole. Two maximally spaced-apart boundary points from among the boundary points along an outer periphery of the partial image are detected. First and second circles within an image frame are defined which include the two maximally spaced-apart boundary points and which have respective centers of gravity which are symmetric to each other relative to a line segment connecting the maximally spaced-apart boundary points. The positions of the first and second circular holes are detected based on the defined first and second circles within the image frame.

Abstract: A CCD linear imager is dynamically controlled on a pixel-by-pixel basis by a line-related map of control words stored in memory with individual control words addressed by a pixel counter operating in synchronism with processing of each imaging pixel in the CCD. Multiple control word maps may be stored in memory for programmed selection "on the fly" to vary the operating control of the CCD on a line-by-line basis.

Abstract: A time-delay and integration camera assembly (A) is mounted to view a rotating or other cyclically moving object (B). A lens (30) focuses light from a field of view (10) onto an array (32) of light sensitive elements having N lines of elements. A tachometer (50) monitors rotation of the rotating object and a timing control (54) causes a light sensitive array control (34) to start stepping lines of data along the lines of light sensitive elements toward a shift register (36) as a leading edge (20) of a region of interest (12) enters the field of view. Each time the region of interest moves 1/Nth of the way across the field of view, the lines of data are stepped another time along the lines of light sensitive elements. Digital video signals are sorted (74) among a plurality of image memories (76.sub.1, 76.sub.2, . . . , 76.sub.M) each image memory corresponding to a corresponding region of interest (12.sub.1, 12.sub.2, . . . , 12.sub.M).

Abstract: This invention provides a multi-standard observation camera fitted with a detector which comprises photosensitive elements arranged in two aligned and/or offset rows, a clock sequencer (22) placed in the same plane as the detector (20), this clock sequencer (22) being used to control the transfer of charges from the sensors into a CCD read circuit (24) to output a video signal compatible with the display monitor television standard. The clock sequencer (22) includes programmable counting resources which define the periods during which the charges are integrated and times at which they are transferred into the read circuit (24), these counting resources being programmed via a link (28) to a memory (25) containing the data required to define several standards. The memory (25) is part of a set of proximity electronics (26) and is controlled by a selection command (27) to match the monitor standard.

Abstract: An optical image (54) of an astronomical scene is focussed by a telescope (16) onto a charge-coupled-device (CCD) photosensor array (50) to produce successive electronic pixel images (92) of the scene which are registered and co-added to produce an accumulated image (96) which is substantially free of streaking caused by rotation of the earth. A current image (92) is registered with an accumulated image (94) by sensing the coordinates of a selected bright star (90) in both images (92,94), computing the offset .DELTA.I between the coordinates, and shifting the current image (92) by the offset .DELTA.I prior to addition to the accumulated image. The telescope (16) may have a clock drive (24) to which the offset .DELTA.I is also applied to correct for mechanical tracking errors.

Abstract: System and method to achieve high resolution and sensitivity from scanned focal plane array detectors without generating objectionable articfacts by scanning a scene in alternate odd and even channels at a predetermined scanning rate to provide a plurality of equally time spaced samples in each channel, offsetting the samples in the even channels relative to the odd channels to be time spaced intermediate adjacent samples of the odd channels, forming a plurality of odd TV lines, each of the odd lines composed of the samples from a different one of the odd channels and the interstices between the samples in each of the odd lines being composed of a sample which is a function of the samples abutting each of the interstices in the odd lines, forming a plurality of even TV lines, each of the even lines composed of the samples from a different one of the even channels and the interstices between the samples in each of the even lines being composed of a sample which is a function of the samples abutting each of the

Abstract: A method and means for converting a high resolution machine monitored phoiode array, comprising staircased linear sets of detectors operating in a time-delay-integration mode, to a low resolution visually monitored array, by delaying the output signal of odd sets in the staircase by the time required to scan one set and integrating the outputs of odd and even sets.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor cell array in which a two-stage amplifier amplifies the output of each cell. The two-stage amplifier design reduces fixed pattern noise in the image data generated by reading the array, by providing increased gain for the output of each cell without impractically increasing the size and complexity of each cell. For each column of cells of the array, one part of the two-stage amplifier for each cell is shared by all cells of the column, and another part of the two-stage amplifier for each cell is included within the cell itself. Preferably, each cell includes only NMOS transistors (no cell includes a PMOS transistor). In preferred embodiments, a differential amplifier within each cell is the primary stage of the cell's output amplifier, PMOS load circuitry including a secondary output amplifier stage is shared by all cells of the column, and the two amplifier stages for each cell together comprise an op amp.

Abstract: Mode selection switches (76, 96, 98) selectively interconnect a sensor line shift timing generator (76) with one of three signal sources - (1) a conventional raster scan timing signal from a raster scan sync generator (70), (2) variable speed external timing signals from a tachometer (32), and (3) fixed speed timing signals developed from the horizontal timing signals of the raster scan sync generator. In a time delay and integration mode, the sensor line shift timing generator causes the CCD arrays of an image section (22) and storage section (24) to shift pixel values down the CCD arrays at a rate commensurate with the external timing signal. As a spot of light emanating from a portion of an object moving through an examination region moves along the CCD array, a corresponding pixel charge is shifted through the CCD array at the same speed such that the same pixel charge integrates light from the same spot as it moves the entire length of the CCD array.